Abstract: A computer apparatus and computer-implemented apparatus for logging audio to an audio logger. Audio is transmitted from a source communication device. At least one receiving communication device receives the audio. The audio is logged to an audio logger, for example by the source communication device and the receiving communication device. A hash of the audio is computed and the hash of the audio and communication parameters related to the audio are stored in a blockchain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating radio frequency spectrum. One example system includes a spectrum broker server including a communications interface and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to determine an available radio frequency spectrum allocation. The electronic processor is configured to receive a spectrum request for the available radio frequency spectrum allocation at the communications interface, wherein the spectrum request is associated with a spectrum-consuming entity. The electronic processor is configured to receive, from a plurality of validation nodes, a plurality of votes based on the spectrum request. The electronic processor is configured to determine whether to grant the spectrum request based on the plurality of votes. The electronic processor is configured to, responsive to determining to grant the spectrum request, allocate the available radio frequency spectrum allocation to the spectrum-consuming entity.

Abstract: A computer apparatus and computer-implemented apparatus for logging audio to an audio logger. Audio is transmitted from a source communication device. At least one receiving communication device receives the audio. The audio is logged to an audio logger, for example by the source communication device and the receiving communication device. A hash of the audio is computed and the hash of the audio and communication parameters related to the audio are stored in a blockchain.

Abstract: Geo-fence based alerts are provided in a wireless communications network. A first subscriber device (SD) in the wireless communications network determines its current location. The first SD detects a geo-fence trigger by determining, as a function of the determined current location and a stored geo-fence database, that it has either (i) crossed a geo-fence boundary into a first active geo-fence in the stored geo-fence database or (ii) is within the first active geo-fence and has not yet begun playing back an alert associated with the first active geo-fence. Responsively, the first SD identifies an alert associated with the first active geo-fence and begins playback of the alert associated with the first active geo-fence.

Abstract: Geo-fence based alerts are provided in a wireless communications network. A first subscriber device (SD) in the wireless communications network determines its current location. The first SD detects a geo-fence trigger by determining, as a function of the determined current location and a stored geo-fence database, that it has either (i) crossed a geo-fence boundary into a first active geo-fence in the stored geo-fence database or (ii) is within the first active geo-fence and has not yet begun playing back an alert associated with the first active geo-fence. Responsively, the first SD identifies an alert associated with the first active geo-fence and begins playback of the alert associated with the first active geo-fence.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for selecting a network for an application service based upon system performance. The method includes obtaining multiple sets of performance metrics. Each of the multiple sets of performance metrics comprises at least one performance metric for a same application service. The method further includes evaluating the multiple sets of performance metrics to select one of the corresponding networks to access the application service on the selected network.

Abstract: A trunked base station (BS) in a trunked radio system tunes its receiver to the hailing channel and monitors for a hailing signal. A subscriber unit (SU) scans a first set of control channels for a control signal transmitted by the trunked BS. In response to failing to locate a control signal on any one of the first set of control channels, the SU tunes its transmitter to a hailing channel and transmits a hailing signal. In response to receiving a hailing signal from a SU, the BS tunes to a transmit portion of a trunked control channel and transmits a control signal. And the BS subsequently tunes to a receive portion of the trunked control channel and monitors for a registration response. Subsequently, the SU scans a second set of control channels for a control signal transmitted by a BS in the system.

Abstract: A radio site controller is configured to dynamically activate adjacent radio sites by first identifying, based at least on a current location of a subscriber unit in a currently activated first radio site, a currently de-activated second radio site located adjacent to the first radio site, and subsequent activating the identified second radio site. The identified second radio site may be a single de-activated adjacent second radio site, all de-activated adjacent second radio sites, or a subset of de-activated adjacent second radio sites based on a subscriber unit travel direction determination.

Abstract: A BS tunes its receiver to the hailing channel and monitors for a hailing signal. A subscriber unit (SU) scans a first set of control channels for a control signal transmitted by a trunked base station (BS) in a trunked radio system. In response to failing to locate a control signal on any one of the first set of control channels, the SU tunes its transmitter to a hailing channel and transmits a hailing signal. In response to receiving a hailing signal from a SU, the BS tunes to a transmit portion of a trunked control channel and transmits a control signal. And the BS subsequently tunes to a receive portion of the trunked control channel and monitors for a registration response. Subsequently, the SU scans a second set of control channels for a control signal transmitted by a BS in the system.

Abstract: A radio site controller is configured to dynamically activate adjacent radio sites by first identifying, based at least on a current location of a subscriber unit in a currently activated first radio site, a currently de-activated second radio site located adjacent to the first radio site, and subsequent activating the identified second radio site. The identified second radio site may be a single de-activated adjacent second radio site, all de-activated adjacent second radio sites, or a subset of de-activated adjacent second radio sites based on a subscriber unit travel direction determination.

Abstract: An incident commander computing device dynamically reconfigures subscriber unit usage of radio access networks by first identifying, based at least on a type of incident occurring within a particular geographic area, a first incident response group having a first higher priority for responding to the incident and a second incident response group having a second lower priority for responding to the incident, then identifying a first higher priority radio access network having a sufficient coverage level across the particular geographic area and a second lower priority radio access network having a sufficient coverage level across the particular geographic area, and finally assigning the first incident response group to the first higher priority radio access network and assigning the second incident response group to the second lower priority radio access network.

Abstract: A communication device performs a method for selecting a network for an application service based upon system performance. The method includes obtaining multiple sets of performance metrics. Each of the multiple sets of performance metrics comprises at least one performance metric for a same application service. The method further includes evaluating the multiple sets of performance metrics to select one of the corresponding networks to access the application service on the selected network.

Abstract: A method, wireless controller, and information processing system that define communication channel allocation. Communication channel allocation commands associated with a first network are monitored (102). The first network (102) comprises a plurality of communication frequencies assigned by the communication channel allocation commands. A set of communication frequencies are determined that have been assigned to wireless devices (108) associated with the first network (102) in response to the monitoring. A specification of unused communication frequencies within the plurality of communication frequencies are transmitted to a second network (104) in response to the determining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing truncation of time sensitive information such as audio in a trunked radio system having a plurality of zone controllers. The method includes the steps of receiving a call request from a calling radio or wireline console by a controlling zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers and measuring a time necessary to set up a call connection between the controlling zone controller and a plurality of called radios or wireline consoles where the call connections of the plurality of called radios or wireline consoles are each set up through a different participating zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers. The method also includes the steps of determining a largest relative measured time among the measured times and buffering audio information from the calling radio for a time period proportional to the determined largest relative time.

Abstract: A method, wireless controller, and information processing system that define communication channel allocation. Communication channel allocation commands associated with a first network are monitored (102). The first network (102) comprises a plurality of communication frequencies assigned by the communication channel allocation commands. A set of communication frequencies are determined that have been assigned to wireless devices (108) associated with the first network (102) in response to the monitoring. A specification of unused communication frequencies within the plurality of communication frequencies are transmitted to a second network (104) in response to the determining.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically re-associating remote sites among multiple zone controller. The system includes multiple zones, each having one or more zone controllers associated with multiple remote sites via a network. Upon a failure, loss of service, or other preset event, a remote site obtains a list of foreign zone controllers with which the remote site is capable of being associated with, selects one of the list of foreign zone controllers; and associates with the selected foreign zone controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing truncation of time sensitive information such as audio in a trunked radio system having a plurality of zone controllers. The method includes the steps of receiving a call request from a calling radio or wireline console by a controlling zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers and measuring a time necessary to set up a call connection between the controlling zone controller and a plurality of called radios or wireline consoles where the call connections of the plurality of called radios or wireline consoles are each set up through a different participating zone controller of the plurality of zone controllers. The method also includes the steps of determining a largest relative measured time among the measured times and buffering audio information from the calling radio for a time period proportional to the determined largest relative time.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes a plurality of sites that each belong to one of a plurality of zones. The plurality of zones are each linked to a zone controller and the plurality of sites are employed to facilitate communications among a plurality of communication units affiliated therewith. A method of establishing a communication between two of the plurality of communication units that are presently affiliated with sites not belonging to a common zone includes the step of determining a preferred zone for at least one of the plurality of communication units. After identifying a usable site that belongs to the preferred zone, the communication unit then affiliates with the usable site to facilitate the communications with the second communication unit.